Tampa Physical Abuse Attorney
Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Assisting Clients with Physical Abuse Cases in Tampa
When an elderly loved one moves into a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, his or her family members should not have to worry about whether there is a risk of nursing home abuse. However, elder abuse—and physical abuse in particular—occurs much more often than you might think. If you are concerned about an elderly loved one’s safety, or if you suspect that physical abuse is happening at a nursing home, it is important to speak with a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney to learn more about your options.
Getting the Facts About Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) emphasizes that physical abuse is one of the most common types of elder abuse in nursing homes, and seniors routinely suffer serious and life-threatening injuries because of physical abuse.
Physical abuse is one type of elder abuse, and the NCOA estimates that one out of every ten—or 10 percent—of the population aged 60 and older has experienced some type of elder abuse. That figure likely underestimates the number of seniors who suffer from abuse each year given that as few as 1 out of every 14 cases of nursing home abuse gets reported.
What is Physical Abuse in a Tampa Nursing Home?
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) defines physical abuse as a form of elder mistreatment that involves “inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.” The National Institute on Aging (NIA) indicates that “physical abuse happens when someone causes bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping.”
Physical abuse in a nursing home can take many different forms, and it can have distinct signs and symptoms. Common signs of physical abuse include but are not limited to:
- Unexplained broken bones;
- Unexplained bruising on the body;
- Cuts or scratches;
- Scarring or welts;
- Pressure marks;
- Abrasions;
- Burns;
- Rope marks or other signs of restraint;
- Dislocations or sprains;
- Unexplained infections;
- Unexplained weight changes;
- Broken medical devices, such as a walker or eyeglasses;
- Sudden change in the elder’s behavior, including depression or agitation;
- Senior who suddenly has a strained relationship with a caregiver;
- Senior who refuses to be alone with a caregiver;
- Senior who has frequent arguments with a caregiver; and/or
- Caregiver who does not want you to be alone in a room with the senior, or who will not let the senior be alone in a room with friends or family members.
Often friends and family members are the only ones in a position to notice signs and symptoms of physical abuse. If you have any concerns, it is better to report them and to speak with a nursing home abuse attorney in Tampa than to allow abuse to continue. Given that many seniors in nursing homes are physically and mentally vulnerable, they often are subjected to physical abuse. In particular, seniors with mental impairment caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be at heightened risk of abuse.
Contact a Tampa Physical Abuse Lawyer
Nobody should have to suffer injuries as a result of physical abuse in a nursing home. An aggressive Tampa physical abuse attorney can discuss options for preventing elder abuse and holding the responsible party accountable. Contact Kohn Lawto learn more about how we can help.
